Email with Arily

Arily is the young lady who helped lead us to Shaoxing, her hometown, last spring. She began studying the Bible as couple of years ago with Jeff, Cathy, and Tanner, and she continued studying faithfully with us all last school year, even when things got very tough there for a while, as you may recall. She began attending church on Sundays about a year ago, and still drives with her boyfriend, "Superman King", back to church in Hangzhou frequently, because she really loves the group and the deep study. She has been coming closer and closer to God recently, and we have been studying together through text messages and emails. This is going to be a bit long and in depth for a blog post, but I love her insights, and so, I will share with you our most recent conversation about Acts chapter two. Here goes!

Arily

Hi Arily,
Enjoyed talking with you today! First read Acts 2, then let me know your ideas. I can ask you some questions, then recommend something else. 
Cecely

Hi Cecely, ACTS 2 talks about the story that the Holy Spirit comes down at Pentecost(?does it mean something?) to enable some to speak in foreign tongues.As usual,people there couldn't understand.Some even mocked those people.Then Peter explained the miracle to all.Finally,those who accepted what Peter said got baptized. As I read the story,I'm interested in the reactions of Jews who saw the miracle happen.It couldn't be normal more that they were amazed and perplexed when seeing the miracle at first.My first reaction would be just like this.But their later reactions drive them into two different categories(am I judging them?).Those who asked"what does this mean" falls into the bewildering category;the mocking group,self-righteous one.I myself have always been one of the members of the first category,asking "why" all the time,even if the answer is right in front of my eyes.When reading the second reaction,I should be extremely careful not to mock those who are mocking.Otherwise I sin both. About Peter's preaching, I deem verse 38 to 40 pivotal. "Repent and be baptized,..for the forgiveness of your sins." So here it seems that baptism is the essential way to receive forgiveness.But I've read somewhere else in the Bible that only through believing in God and Jesus,one can be led to forgiveness and the kingdom of God.(sorry I forgot which chapter...do you have any idea?) Anyway,I still accept baptism because it shows the relationship between God and me. Verse 40 is interesting."save yourselves" is the most interesting phrase. The Bible gives me the impression that  we can only be saved by Christ. How can we saved by ourselves? It seems impossible at first glance,but as I think it deeper,that's quite reasonable. It's totally a free decision. We made the decision by ourselves to welcome Jesus into our life. Jesus never used power like a ruling king to force us to believe.Instead,he died on the cross to wash our sins away. What's more,we have to save ourselves by losing ourselves first.To save is to lose.We lose ego and self-righteousness,putting faith in Jesus Christ.At least,I feel more joy after reducing ego. About the middle verses,I didn't see anything special. Peter was trying to convince that Jesus is the Christ. Could you guide me more? Love, Arily Hi Arily, Your answers and thoughts were very well thought-out, good answers! So happy to get to read them. The Holy Spirit is part of God, as you know, and was sent down in this story in a powerful way, to show God's power, that God was still with them even though Christ's physical presence wasn't any more. Fire appears to represent language, and also God's purifying presence. Fire came down on many people to show that God's word would now be freely available to all. This fulfills some older prophecies, you can see Luke 3:16 and Joel 2:28 and 29. I thought you were very insightful to suggest that we not mock the mockers. How right you are; I never thought of it. Then you are right, Peter preaches the good news about Jesus. The important message here is that he died, was buried, and resurrected. Also that He is really the Christ. If you already believe that stuff, then verse 38 is the pivotal part. I agree with you that this passage teaches that baptism is essential for forgiveness. But yes, you are also correct that there are places in the Bible that only mention belief, for example John 3:16. My conclusion is that belief comes first, and is essential, then baptism comes next, and is essential too. What do you think? Yes, the 'save yourselves' part is surprising wording, but yes, even though Christ totally saves us, and our grace is all from Him, it is also reasonable that we have to accept His salvation, like being willing to step into a lifeboat. You did a great job of reading this and commenting on it. Now I want to ask about verses 42-47. What do you think of these things the believers do in verse 42? How can we do this stuff today? And verse 45, 46,47, how can we do that stuff? Why is it important enought to mention? Cecely Hi Cecely, Baptism,as well as breaking bread which is mentioned in verse 42,I think,is a necessary ceromony. Believing is like a a couple loving each other,while baptism is analagous to a wedding in which the couple's relatives and friends can witness their determination to love each other for a lifelong time.Or I should liken it to a marriage certificate which is more necessary than a wedding.As for breaking bread,I don't know if it's so important to figure out whether the bread is a representation.No matter the bread is real Jesus's body or not,it is still a ceromony,a reminding, to let us memorize the death of Jesus. Fellowship and prayer are also ways to strenghthen faith and praise God.This returns to a very classical topic,discussing whether individuals should stay away from crowds.Some claim that the relationship between God and us,nothing to do with churches, is rather personal and private.They may have some hidden reasons,like their church is bad,but I still think it goes too extreme.I can count too many blessings for fellowship.Love,friendship,wisdom,encouragement...However,as you said once,which is so right,we should always be careful to keep mob-mentality away.Anyway,there must be a balance between individual and church life.We can feel it if we need some private time or "party" time. Verse 44 and 45 manifest that the believers live in piety.Keeping in touch with other Christians is important,but I don't really think we need get together everyday since we have all the communication tools.And definitely I respect them,but it was more like a utopia to me,which is just the same as China in the 1950s.It's too hard to require a church like that,though up to now,all the Christians I've met are so kind-hearted,gentle and loving.It's also very hard to help others today,because we don't usually know what others need.But one thing is always true,which is to love your neighbor as yourself.When we love,the image in my mind is just like in verse 46,they break bread in their homes and eat together with glad and sincere hearts,praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.What a beautiful picture! Love, Arily Abraham (far left) & Arily (center) celebrating Christmas with us So, that is the most recent dialogue between me and Arily! I praise God for the way she is growing. I think that she will not only become a Christian soon, perhaps in Hangzhou, but also I think she will be a faithful disciple, able to share her faith with other people in a convincing way, and I have high hopes that she will be able to live out the gospel for other people to actually see. Please join us in prayer that she be guided where and when to officially become His child, and that she will follow Him faithfully all her days. Pray also for her boyfriend, and her mom and dad. They are all precious people who love Arily, but sometimes have their doubts about this new path they see her taking. Her boyfriend attends with her and is being "taken along with her" in her knowledge, and her parents know about her interest in the Bible, but sometimes do not know where exactly she goes on Sunday! Pray that the very best thing will work out for them, and for her. Thanks! Cecely  Arily's boyfriend "Superman King" Arily's Father & Mother